What is Scream to Unlock?
A productivity tool that blocks social media and makes you say embarrassing things to unlock them
Problem
Users struggle with social media addiction and procrastination, relying on basic blockers that lack psychological friction or accountability to deter usage.
Solution
A gamified productivity tool that blocks social media access until users yell an embarrassing pre-set phrase, creating social pressure to avoid unlocking unnecessarily.
Customers
Students, remote workers, and freelancers who need accountability to stay focused, plus humor-driven users seeking unconventional anti-distraction methods.
Unique Features
Embarrassment-as-a-feature: Uses vocalization and social shame (recording unlock attempts) to add psychological cost to procrastination.
User Comments
Effectively reduces mindless scrolling through humiliation barrier
Funny concept but impractical for shared spaces
Lacks customization compared to traditional blockers
Memorable deterrent for habitual usage
Novelty wears off quickly for some users
Traction
Launched on Product Hunt with 300+ upvotes, featured on Betalist and Hacker News. Founder’s X account (@screamunlock) has 1.2K followers. Basic free tier with Pro plan at $4.99/mo.
Market Size
Digital wellbeing apps market projected to reach $1.1 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research), with 42% of adults reporting social media addiction (Pew Research).
